Computer system for enabling an optical drive to self-test analog audio signal paths when no disc is present

ABSTRACT

A computer system includes a chassis, a processor mounted in the chassis, a memory coupled to the processor, and an optical disc drive coupled to the processor and the memory, the optical disc drive comprising a removable storage media, the optical disc drive being configurable to internally generate an audio tone signal in response to receiving a command during an absence of the removable storage media; to receive a second command, wherein the second command generates a corresponding second audio tone signal and to receive a third command, and wherein the third command is configurable to stop the generation of the second audio tone signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and is a continuation ofco-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,320, filedNov. 13, 2001, by David M. Pereira, entitled METHOD FOR ENABLING ANOPTICAL DRIVE TO SELF-TEST ANALOG AUDIO SIGNAL PATHS WHEN NO DISC ISPRESENT, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the testing of computersystems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to theimplementation of a method and a system for testing audio components ofa computer system's optical disc drive.

[0003] Information systems in general have attained widespread use inbusiness as well as personal computing environments. An informationhandling system, as referred to herein, may be defined as aninstrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities primarily designed tocompute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle orutilize any form of information, intelligence or data for business,scientific, control or other purposes. The information handling systemmay be configured for a specific user application or requirement such asfinancial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise datastorage and/or global communications. In general, an informationhandling system may include a variety of hardware and/or softwarecomponents that may be configured to provide information and/or consumeinformation. An information handling system may include one or morecomputer systems, data storage systems, and/or networking systems.

[0004] A computer system, which is one common type of informationhandling system, may be designed to give independent computing power toone or a plurality of users. Computer systems may be found in many formsincluding, for example, mainframes, minicomputers, workstations,servers, clients, personal computers, Internet terminals, notebooks,personal digital assistants, and embedded systems.

[0005] A computer system may be available as a desktop, floor-standingunit, or as a portable unit. The computer system typically includes amicrocomputer unit having a processor, volatile and/or non-volatilememory, a display monitor, a keyboard, one or more floppy diskettedrives, a hard disc storage device, an optional optical drive, e.g.,DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, Combination DVD/CD-RW or CD-ROM, and an optionalprinter. A computer system also includes a commercially availableoperating system, such as Microsoft Windows XP™ or Linux. A computersystem may also include one or a plurality of peripheral devices such asinput/output (“I/O”) devices coupled to the system processor to performspecialized functions. Examples of I/O devices include keyboardinterfaces with keyboard controllers, floppy diskette drive controllers,modems, sound and video devices, specialized communication devices, andeven other computer systems communicating with each other via a network.These I/O devices are typically plugged into connectors of computersystem I/O interfaces such as serial interfaces and parallel interfaces,for example. Generally, these computer systems use a system board ormotherboard to electrically interconnect these devices.

[0006] Computer systems also typically include basic input/output system(“BIOS”) programs to ease programmer/user interaction with the computersystem devices. More specifically, BIOS provides a software interfacebetween the system hardware and the operating system/applicationprogram. The operating system (“OS”) and application program typicallyaccess BIOS rather than directly manipulating I/O ports, registers, andcontrol words of the specific system hardware. Well known device driversand interrupt handlers access BIOS to, for example, facilitate I/O datatransfer between peripheral devices and the OS, application program, anddata storage elements. BIOS is accessed through an interface of softwareinterrupts and contains a plurality of entry points correspondingrespectively to the different interrupts. In operation, BIOS istypically loaded from a BIOS ROM or BIOS EPROM, where it is nonvolatilystored, to main memory from which it is executed. This practice isreferred to as “shadowing” or “shadow RAM” and increases the speed atwhich BIOS executes.

[0007] Although the processor provides the “kernel” of the computersystem, I/O communication between an I/O device and the processor formsa basic feature of computer systems. Many I/O devices includespecialized hardware working in conjunction with OS specific devicedrivers and BIOS routines to perform functions such as informationtransfer between the processor and external devices, such as modems andprinters, coupled to I/O devices.

[0008] Computer systems typically include peripheral memory storagedevices such as optical disc drives with removable storage media. Theremovable storage media is typically used to store and/or load software,data, and documentation. Examples of optical disc drives with removablestorage media include audio CD, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD and combinationDVD/CD-RW. To load the selected operating system on to the hard disc forthe first time, the PC manufacturer typically uses a boot device toinitially boot up the PC. A boot device may typically include a floppydisc or a CD-ROM.

[0009] The personal computer business is rapidly moving toward“build-to-order” manufacturing. The customer typically enters a purchaseorder for a computer system by selecting specific options such asprocessor model/speed, memory size, hard disc size, peripheral devicessuch as CRT monitor size, resolution, keyboard, CD-RW, DVD, printers andothers. The computer system purchase order usually includes the choicefor an operating system such as Windows XP™, Windows ME™, or in somecases Linux. The computer system manufacturer assembles the computersystem hardware in compliance with the purchase order.

[0010] After completion of the hardware and software assembly process,the computer system undergoes extensive inspection and testing. The PCmanufacturer typically ships the custom manufactured computer systemwithin a few days to the customer after receipt of purchase order.Typically a PC manufacturer may ship several thousand “build-to-order”computer systems every day.

[0011] During the manufacturing process of a personal computer, theinspection and testing phase is typically important to identify productdefects. Generally, it is more cost effective to identify and fixproduct defects before shipment to a customer site. The testing ofpersonal computer peripheral devices such as optical disc drives withremovable storage media is time-consuming. For example, the testingphase of the CD-ROM device typically involves manually inserting a testCD-ROM in the drive and conducting the test procedure. The“build-to-order” manufacturing process of a personal computer or thedisc drive with removable media typically involves an assembly lineoperation capable of producing thousands of units each hour. The step ofmanually inserting the removable media for test purposes in themanufacturing of several thousand personal computers typically slowsdown the manufacturing process and also adds to the product costs.

[0012]FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is a diagram schematically illustrating thesimplified structure of a general optical drive system. Referring toFIG. 1 (PRIOR ART), a spindle motor 110 rotates an optical disc 115,which is seated on a turntable 120. On inserting the optical disc 115 inthe disc drive, a clamp 125 assembly may be used to secure the positionof the optical disc 115 on the turntable 120 such that the insertedoptical disc 115 is frictionally coupled to the turntable 120. Severaltypes of clamp 125 mechanism are well known in the art, depending on thedimensions of the optical disc drive. A sensor device 130 is used forreproducing the information recorded on the optical disc 115. A disccontroller 140 controls the overall disc drive system, including thespindle motor 110 and the sensor device 130.

[0013] For CD-ROM's, the sensor device 130 assembly (not shown)typically includes a low-power laser diode, a lens, a focusing coil, aprism and a light detecting diode. For optical disc drives, the sensordevice 130 assembly (not shown) typically includes at least onelow-power laser diode, focusing and positioning coils, additionaloptical components, and a light-detecting diode assembly. Information isencoded in a plastic-encased spiral track (not shown) contained on oneside of the optical disc 115. The spiral track is read optically by thesensor device 130, which typically includes a non-contact head, andwhich scans approximately radially as the disc spins just above it.

[0014] The disc controller 140 typically includes a processor (notshown), e.g., a digital signal processor (“DSP”) and/or amicroprocessor. The processor is typically configurable to performvarious control functions such as reading data and/or sound files storedon the optical disc 115. The optical disc drive also generally includesan audio circuit to output the audio files stored on the removableoptical disc storage. For computer systems equipped with soundcircuitry, the audio output of the optical disc device is typicallydirectly connected to the sound circuitry via a cable. For computersystems without sound circuitry, the audio output of the optical discdevice may be typically directly accessible via an audio jack (notshown). A sound output device such as a loudspeaker, or a headphone maybe connectable to the audio jack of the optical disc device to listen tothe sound.

SUMMARY

[0015] In accordance with the present disclosure, one embodimentdiscloses a computer system including a chassis, a processor mounted inthe chassis, a memory coupled to the processor, and an optical discdrive coupled to the processor and the memory, the optical disc drivecomprising a removable storage media, the optical disc drive beingconfigurable to internally generate an audio tone signal in response toreceiving a command during an absence of the removable storage media, toreceive a second command, wherein the second command generates acorresponding second audio tone signal and to receive a third command,and wherein the third command is configurable to stop the generation ofthe second audio tone signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

[0017] FIG. I (PRIOR ART) is a diagram schematically illustrating thesimplified structure of a general optical disc drive system;

[0018]FIG. 2 illustrates an information handling system to implement amethod of audio testing a disc drive device by internally generating anaudio tone signal in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for a method of audio testing adisc drive device by internally generating an audio tone signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] For a thorough understanding of the subject disclosure, includingthe best mode contemplated by the inventor, reference may be had to thefollowing Detailed Description, including the appended Claims, inconnection with the above-described Drawings. The following DetailedDescription is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, an information handling system 200 is shownthat is suitable for implementing a method for testing audio componentsof the computer system's optical disc drive. In one embodiment, theinformation handling system 200 is a computer system.

[0022] Information handling system 200 includes a microprocessor(“processor”) 205, for example, an Intel Pentium™ class microprocessoror AMD Athlon™ class microprocessor, having a processor 210 for handlinginteger operations and a co-processor 215 for handling floating pointoperations. Processor 205 is coupled to cache 229 and memory controller230 via processor bus 291. System controller 1/O trap 292 couplesprocessor bus 291 to local bus 220 and is generally characterized aspart of a system controller such as a Pico Power Vesuvious or an Intel™Mobile Triton chip set. System controller I/O trap 292 can be programmedin a well-known manner to intercept a particular target address oraddress range, and, upon intercepting a target address, systemcontroller I/O trap 292 asserts an intercept signal indicating thatprocessor 205 attempted to access the target address.

[0023] A main memory 225 of dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”)modules is coupled to local bus 220 by a memory controller 230. Mainmemory 225 includes a system management mode memory area which isemployed to store converter code to implement conversion methodologyembodiments as will be discussed in more detail subsequently.

[0024] In a simple form, a information handling system 200 may include aprocessor 205 and a memory 225. The processor 205 is typically enabledto execute instructions stored in the memory 225. The executedinstructions typically perform a function. Information handling systemsmay vary in size, shape, performance, functionality and price. Examplesof a information handling system 200, which include a processor 205 andmemory 225, may include all types of computing devices within the rangefrom a pager to a mainframe computer.

[0025] A BIOS memory 224 is coupled to local bus 220. A FLASH memory orother nonvolatile memory is used as BIOS memory 224. A BIOS program (notshown) is usually stored in the BIOS memory 224. The BIOS programincludes software for interaction with the information handling systemboot devices such as the keyboard, the mouse, or an optical disc 282.The BIOS memory 224 stores the system code, which controls someinformation handling system 200 operations.

[0026] A graphics controller 235 is coupled to local bus 220 and to apanel display screen 240. Graphics controller 235 is also coupled to avideo memory 245, which stores information to be displayed on paneldisplay 240. Panel display 240 is typically an active matrix or passivematrix liquid crystal display (“LCD”) although other displaytechnologies may be used as well. Graphics controller 235 can also becoupled to an optional external display or standalone monitor display256 as shown in FIG. 5. One graphics controller that can be employed asgraphics controller 235 is the Western Digital WD90C24A graphicscontroller.

[0027] A bus interface controller or expansion bus controller 258couples local bus 220 to an expansion bus 260. In this particularembodiment, expansion bus 260 is an Industry Standard Architecture(“ISA”) bus although other buses, for example, a Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (“PCI”) bus, could also be used. A personal computer memorycard international association (“PCMCIA”) controller 265 is also coupledto expansion bus 260 as shown. PCMCIA controller 265 is coupled to aplurality of expansion slots 270 to receive PCMCIA expansion cards suchas modems, fax cards, communications cards, and other input/outputdevices. Interrupt request generator 297 is also coupled to ISA bus 260and issues an interrupt service request over a predetermined interruptrequest line after receiving a request to issue interrupt instructionfrom processor 205.

[0028] An 1/O controller 275, often referred to as a super I/Ocontroller is coupled to ISA bus 260. I/O controller 275 interfaces toan integrated drive electronics (“IDE”) hard drive 280, a optical discdrive 282 and a floppy drive 285. Other disc drive devices (not shown)which may also be interfaced to the I/O controller include a removablehard drive, a zip drive, a CD-RW drive, and a CD-DVD drive. A networkinterface controller 201 enables the information handling system 200 tocommunicate with a computer network such as an Ethernet 290. Theinformation handling system may also include a computer network such asa local area network (“LAN”), wide area network (“WAN”), Internet,Intranet, wireless broadband or the like. The network interfacecontroller 201 forms a network interface for communicating with otherinformation handling systems (not shown) connected to the Ethernet 290.The information handling system's networking components generallyinclude hardware as well as software components. Examples of thehardware components include the network interface controller 201 and theEthernet 290. Examples of the software components, which includemessaging services and network administration services, are describedbelow.

[0029] The information handling system 200 serves as a controller forresolving proprietary and standard event and message structures into acommon format for use by the computer network for many managementpurposes. The information handling system 200 is connected with aplurality of computer systems in the network for receiving messages fromthe computer systems, analyzing the messages and determine an effectiveutilization of the messages as directed by a user or networkadministrator. The information handling system 200 receives messages indifferent message formats, organizes the messages, and converts themessages into a common format that assists a user, system administrator,or network administrator in utilizing the information contained in themessages. The information handling system 200 supports the conversion ofmessages into the common format to facilitate particular networkapplications.

[0030] Information handling system 200 includes a power supply 264, forexample, a battery, which provides power to the many devices, which forminformation handling system 200. Power supply 264 is typically arechargeable battery, such as a nickel metal hydride (“NiMl1”) orlithium ion battery, when information handling system 200 is embodied asa portable or notebook computer. Power supply 264 is coupled to a powermanagement microcontroller 208 which controls the distribution of powerfrom power supply 264. More specifically, microcontroller 208 includes apower output 209 coupled to the main power plane 214 which suppliespower to processor 205. Power microcontroller 208 is also coupled to apower plane (not shown) which supplies power to panel display 240. Inthis particular embodiment, power control microcontroller 208 is aMotorola 6805 microcontroller. Microcontroller 208 monitors the chargelevel of power supply 264 to determine when to charge and when not tocharge battery 264. Microcontroller 208 is coupled to a main powerswitch 212, which the user actuates to turn the information handlingsystem 200, on and off. While micro-controller 208 powers down otherportions of information handling system 200 such as hard drive 280 whennot in use to conserve power, micro-controller 208 itself is alwayscoupled to a source of energy, namely power supply 264.

[0031] In a portable embodiment, information handling system 200 alsoincludes a screen lid switch 206 or indicator 206 which provides anindication of when panel display 240 is in the open position and anindication of when panel display 240 is in the closed position. It isnoted that panel display 240 is generally located in the same locationin the lid of the computer as is typical for “clamshell” types ofportable computers such as laptop or notebook computers. In this manner,the display screen forms an integral part of the lid of the computer,which swings from an open position for interaction with the user to aclose position.

[0032] Information handling system 200 also includes a power managementchip set 238, which includes power management chip models PT86C521 andPT86C522 manufactured by Pico Power. Power management chip set 238 iscoupled to processor 205 via local bus 220 so that power management chipset 238 can receive power control commands from processor 205. Powermanagement chip set 238 is connected to a plurality of individual powerplanes which supply power to respective devices in information handlingsystem 200 such as hard drive 280 and floppy drive 285, for example. Inthis manner, power management chip set 238 acts under the direction ofprocessor 205 to control the power to the various power planes anddevices of the computer. A real time clock (“RTC”) 240 is coupled to I/Ocontroller 275 and power management chip set 238 such that time eventsor alarms can be transmitted to power management chip set 238. Real timeclock 240 can be programmed to generate an 15 alarm signal at apredetermined time.

[0033] When information handling system 200 is turned on or powered up,the information handling system 200 enters a start up phase, alsoreferred to as a boot up phase, during which the information handlingsystem hardware is detected and the operating system is loaded. Duringthe initial boot stage, the information handling system BIOS softwarestored in nonvolatile BIOS memory 224 is copied into main memory 225 sothat it can be executed more quickly. This technique is referred to as“shadowing” or “shadow RAM” as discussed above. At this time, SMM code250 is also copied into the system management mode memory area 226 ofmain memory 225. Processor 205 executes SMM code 250 after processor 205receives a system management interrupt (“SMI”) which causes themicroprocessor to enter SMM. Additional conditions under which an SMI isgenerated are discussed subsequently. It is noted that along with SMMcode 250, also stored in BIOS memory 224 and copied into main memory 225at power up are system BIOS 255 (including a power on self test modulePOST), CD-ROM BIOS 257 and video BIOS 260. It will be recognized bythose of ordinary skill in the art that other memory mapping schemes maybe used. For example, SMM code 250 may be stored in fast SRAM memory(not shown) coupled to the local/processor bus 220.

[0034] In one embodiment, the information handling system 200 is testedto verify the proper operation of its hardware and software components.The testing of the information handling system 200 includes the testingof the audio components 283 included in the optical disc drive withremovable media, e.g., optical disc drive 282. The information handlingsystem 200 is configurable to perform the method of testing the audiocomponents 283 of the information handling system optical disc drive 282device with removable storage media, preferably without requiring thepresence of optical disc 115, as described in further detail below.Additionally, if the audio cable is separate from the interfaceconnector or interface cable then the testing includes determiningwhether an audio cable is connected between the optical disc drive 282and the sound circuitry.

[0035] In one embodiment, the disc controller (not shown) of the opticaldisc drive 282 included in the information handling system 200 isenabled to internally generate an audio tone signal on executing acommand. The audio components 283 may also include optional soundcircuitry (not shown) coupled to the optical disc drive 282. The audiooutput of the optical disc drive 282 is transferred to the soundcircuitry, e.g., via an audio cable or via interface connector, as anaudio input to the sound circuitry. The audio tone signal generatedinternally, in response to receiving and executing the command, isoutput to an audio output device, e.g., a pair of speakers (not shown)or a headset (not shown). The headset may be coupled to the optical discdrive 282 via an external audio jack (not shown). The optical disc drive282 testing process may be initiated either during the boot up processor after loading the operating system.

[0036] In one embodiment, the information handling system 200 includes acomputer-readable medium having a computer program or informationhandling system 200 software accessible therefrom, the computer programincluding instructions for performing the method of testing the computersystem drive device with removable storage media. The computer-readablemedium may typically include any of the following: a magnetic storagemedium, including disc and tape storage medium; an optical storagemedium, including optical discs such as CD-ROM, CD-RW, CD-R, DVD andcombination DVD/CD-RW; a non-volatile memory storage medium; a volatilememory storage medium; and data transmission or communications mediumincluding packets of electronic data, and electromagnetic or fiber opticwaves modulated in accordance with the instructions.

[0037] The present disclosure allows testing the operational status ofthe audio components 283 of the information handling system 200 opticaldisc drive preferably without requiring the presence of the removablestorage media. For example, being able to test optical disc drive 282device of an information handling system 200 when no optical disc 115 ispresent. A method, which advantageously tests the operational status ofthe audio components 283 of the optical disc drive when no physicalremovable storage media is present, is described in FIG. 3. The testingmay include determining the operational status of the audio cable ifpresent.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart for a method of testing audiocomponents 283 of an optical disc drive device, with removable storagemedia, is illustrated. In step 300, the optical disc drive is preparedto receive a command. The command is received by the informationhandling system 200 optical disc drive to test the operational status ofthe audio components 283 of the optical disc drive, preferably when nooptical removable storage media is present. A command set for theoptical disc drive typically includes a set of instructions, which areexecutable by the processor included in the disc drive controller 140.The commands enable the disc drive controller 140 to perform functionssuch as acquiring signals from the sensor device 130, controlling thespeed of the spindle motor 110, and delivering an audio output. Undernormal operation, the optical disc drive typically generates audio tonesignals in response to receiving inputs from the sensor device 130. Inone embodiment, the command set of the optical disc drive is modified toinclude at least one new command to internally generate or synthesizeaudio tone signals. The new command may include one or more parametersto define audio tone signal characteristics as described below. Othernew commands may be included to start or stop the generation of theaudio tone signal. In one embodiment, a command may internally generateaudio tone signals for a configurable time period, e.g., 15 seconds. Anew command may direct an audio tone signal to a right and/or a leftchannel for testing stereo components. A new command may generate afirst audio tone signal and direct it to the left channel and generate asecond audio tone signal and direct it to the right channel. The firstand second audio tone signals may be generated in a substantiallyconcurrent manner.

[0039] The audio tones may be presented by the optical drive to itsnormal analog outputs, thereby providing an internally generated signalsource for verification of the audio cable and other portions of theaudio signal path. The testing or verification process is preferablyconducted when no optical removable storage media is present. Theinternally generated audio tone signals may be made available to a soundoutput device such as a headphone set via an audio jack.

[0040] In one embodiment, the command to conduct the test may be enteredon the display screen 240 of the information handling system 200. In oneembodiment, a computer program configured to launch the testing of theoptical disc drive may enter the command. In this embodiment, at leastone processor included in the disc drive controller 140 is configurableto receive the command entered. In another embodiment, a plurality ofprocessors including a digital signal processor (“DSP”) (not shown) maybe included in the optical disc drive 282. The command received isconfigurable to internally generate an audio tone signal using some orall of the processors and the audio components 283 of the optical discdrive 282. The audio components 283 of the optical disc drive 282 maytypically include an audio amplifier, a digital audio encoder/decoder,and an audio digital-to-analog (“D/A”) converter. The command mayinclude a configurable parameter to define a frequency of the audio tonesignal. A second configurable parameter of the command may define theamplitude of the audio tone signal. The relationship between a commandreceived, along with any configured parameters, and the correspondingaudio tone signal generated is implemented via a look up table stored inmemory as described below.

[0041] In step 350, the audio tone signal is generated internally by thedisc controller 140 in response to receiving the command. In oneembodiment, a sine wave generator, which is well known in the art, isused to internally generate the audio tone signal. The sine waveform istypically stored in a wavetable, and is scanned using a table-lookuposcillator algorithm. The optical disc drive controller 140 maytypically include a D/A converter. Tile D/A converts the audio tonesignal stored in a digital form, e.g., stored in the look up wavetable,to an analog tone signal representing an audio sound. In one embodiment,the audio tone signal may be output in the form of pulses generated at apre-defined frequency.

[0042] In another embodiment, in step 350, the audio tone signal isgenerated internally, in response to receiving the command, by using afrequency generator (“PG”) output provided by the spindle motor 110. Thespindle motor 110 generates a pulse output, e.g., the frequencygenerator output, based on its rotation speed. The spindle motor 110 isrotated to a configurable speed so as to generate the audio tone signalof a defined frequency. In one embodiment, the frequency generatoroutput is coupled to the audio components 283 of the optical disc drive282 via a new switchable path. To generate the audio tone signal, thespindle motor is started and the switchable path is opened and closedand directed to either audio output channel under the control of theoptical drive's processor. The optical disc drive 282 circuitry may beused to shape the switched output of the spindle motor 110 to provide amore pleasing sound at the desired amplitude. This embodiment may alsobe advantageously used to test the operational status of the spindlemotor 110 component of the optical disc drive device.

[0043] In one embodiment, the information handling system 200 may beenabled to collect test data in steps 300 and 350 so as to document theoperational status of the optical disc drive. The test data may includevalues for variables such as audio tone signal frequency and amplitude,operational status of the audio cable, right/left channel, spindle motor110. The collected test data may be used for a test report or for lateranalysis.

[0044] Although the method and system of the present disclosure has beendescribed in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is notintended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on thecontrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, andequivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system comprising: a chassis; aprocessor mounted in the chassis; a memory coupled to the processor; andan optical disc drive coupled to the processor and the memory, theoptical disc drive comprising a removable storage media, the opticaldisc drive being configurable to internally generate an audio tonesignal in response to receiving a command during an absence of theremovable storage media, to receive a second command, wherein the secondcommand generates a corresponding second audio tone signal and toreceive a third command, and wherein the third command is configurableto stop the generation of the second audio tone signal.
 2. Theinformation handling system of claim 1, wherein the generated audio tonesignal is transferred to a sound circuitry electrically coupled to theoptical disc drive, wherein the sound circuitry outputs the audio tonesignal.
 3. The information handling system of claim 2, wherein the audiotone signal output by the sound circuitry indicates a proper operationof the sound circuitry and a cable, wherein the cable couples the soundcircuitry and the optical disc drive.
 4. The information handling systemof claim 2, wherein the sound circuitry outputs the audio tone signal toan external sound output device coupled to tile sound circuitry.
 5. Theinformation handling system of claim 1, wherein the generated audio tonesignal is output to an external speaker coupled to the optical discdrive.
 6. A computer system comprising: a chassis; a processor mountedin the chassis; an input coupled to provide input to the processor; andan optical disc drive coupled to the processor and the memory, theoptical disc drive comprising a removable storage media, the opticaldisc drive being configurable to internally generate an audio tonesignal in response to receiving a command during an absence of theremovable storage media, to receive a second command, wherein the secondcommand generates a corresponding second audio tone signal and toreceive a third command, and wherein the third command is configurableto stop the generation of the second audio tone signal.
 7. Theinformation handling system of claim 6, wherein the generated audio tonesignal is transferred to a sound circuitry electrically coupled to theoptical disc drive, wherein the sound circuitry outputs the audio tonesignal.
 8. The information handling system of claim 7, wherein the audiotone signal output by the sound circuitry indicates a proper operationof the sound circuitry and a cable, wherein the cable couples the soundcircuitry and the optical disc drive.
 9. The information handling systemof claim 7, wherein the sound circuitry outputs the audio tone signal toan external sound output device coupled to tile sound circuitry.
 10. Theinformation handling system of claim 6, wherein the generated audio tonesignal is output to an external speaker coupled to the optical discdrive.
 11. A computer system comprising: a chassis; a processor mountedin the chassis; a memory coupled to the processor; and an optical discdrive coupled to the processor and the memory, the optical disc drivecomprising a removable storage media, the optical disc drive beingconfigurable to internally generate an audio tone signal in response tothe processor executing instructions stored in the memory, theinstructions executable to: generate at least one command to test theoptical disc drive in response to receiving a request, the optical discdrive being configured to receive a plurality of commands and generate aplurality of audio tone signals, one of the commands being configurableto stop generation of an audio tone signal.